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My husband has Parkinson's. Diagnosed almost 9 years ago. He has horrible constipation since he's bed-bound and can't really push any more. He takes Miralax daily and Sennasides pills up to twice daily. This keeps his stool soft and helps contract his colon. His neurologist explained that since Parkinson's affects muscles, the colon is affected.
You've got great advice from other posters. I will add to Geaton's post that we did an inventory of my FIL's medications because he struggled with constipation as well as urinary incontinence.
What we found was slightly alarming. First he was on an astronomical number of medications if I'm honest. And at least 50% of them had constipation as a side effect. He also abused harder laxatives and his doctor recommended Miralax and the removal of any other laxative products entirely. And there were even medications that he was SUPPOSED to take at different times to help control his urinary output. He was supposed to take one that would control his urination at night and another that encouraged urination during the day. Before my SIL took over control of his medications - he was EITHER taking BOTH together (??) or taking them at the wrong times.
Medication interactions are a huge culprit of constipation for anyone. But if gut health has slowed and they are on medications that can slow things down even more, that's a recipe for disaster without some help.
There are plenty of products on the market. Some over the counter, some prescription. Some of the OTC products: Smooth Move Tea. A tea that is Senna based Senna a natural laxative Magnesium Citrate a supplement that can help Miralax (If he is using any product that thickens liquids this will not work in a thickened liquid as it will thin the liquid so it has to be mixed in food) A puree of Pineapple and Papaya (I would puree both and mix them then freeze the puree and give my husband a portion) Any of these should be discussed with his doctor or pharmacist if he is taking any prescription medication. Discuss the constipation with his doctor there are very effective prescription products.
My husband has Parkinson’s as well, diagnosed in 2015 but unofficially few years before. Parkinson and gut issues are common. And I believe PD meds cause constipation as well. He takes lax a day powder with warm glass of water first thing in the morning as per dr needs that for the rest of his life.
Milk of Magnesia. I give it to my mother in the evening before bed when she hasn't had a bowel movement after 2 days. It works.
Her doctor had recommended MiraLax back in 2020, which was terrible. (I think that all docs recommend Mira Lax.). It's polyethylene glycol which is a polymer based petroleum-derivative which is an ingredient in anti-freeze. Look it up - it's all on the internet.
I dutifully gave it to her every morning and over time she began to sundown like nobody's business. I'm talking delusions and anxiety off the chain. The only thing I could figure was the MiraLax so I stopped giving it to her and turned to good old Milk of Magnesia.
And lo and behold, all of the sundowning and delusions ceased after about 3 months. It took that long to get out of her system. And yes MiraLax works, but the side effects in my mother were horrible.
That's my experience. I think it should be banned.
Here is the FDA's website stating that MiraLax can cause "neuropsychiatric events".
Constipation can mean different things to different people and what you do about it depends on your definition. If he has hard, dry feces that he struggles to expel then all the normal things advised like increased fluid intake, more fiber in his diet and OTC stool softeners should make a difference. (we found PEG 3350 (miralax) a miracle drug)
If the problem is more that he has reasonably normal BMs but he doesn't go for 2, 3, 5 days (or longer) then know that gut dysfunction goes with Parkinson's and slow transit colon is common. In that case my advice is to follow all the normal recommendations about diet and try not to over obsess about frequency, no matter how many people try to tell you what is "normal".
Bowel dysfunction is something I am intimately familiar with as my mother struggled also, if you have specific questions just ask!
Mom was on ducolax for about a year. When she moved with me I changed her diet, added a few teaspoons of prune juice in beverages to get her stool moving, she ate more fresh fruits, veggies and sometimes a 1/2 can of Olipop prebiotic soda. Olipop works very well alone and is like a treat drink.
Apples are naturally good for natural bowel movements; the pectin/fiber can work like a charm and taste far better than the products on the shelf. Raw, cut into pieces, bitten off the apple if the person can bite/chew well, or even shredded. One or two medium size a day.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
He takes Miralax daily and Sennasides pills up to twice daily. This keeps his stool soft and helps contract his colon.
His neurologist explained that since Parkinson's affects muscles, the colon is affected.
What we found was slightly alarming. First he was on an astronomical number of medications if I'm honest. And at least 50% of them had constipation as a side effect. He also abused harder laxatives and his doctor recommended Miralax and the removal of any other laxative products entirely. And there were even medications that he was SUPPOSED to take at different times to help control his urinary output. He was supposed to take one that would control his urination at night and another that encouraged urination during the day. Before my SIL took over control of his medications - he was EITHER taking BOTH together (??) or taking them at the wrong times.
Medication interactions are a huge culprit of constipation for anyone. But if gut health has slowed and they are on medications that can slow things down even more, that's a recipe for disaster without some help.
Some of the OTC products:
Smooth Move Tea. A tea that is Senna based
Senna a natural laxative
Magnesium Citrate a supplement that can help
Miralax (If he is using any product that thickens liquids this will not work in a thickened liquid as it will thin the liquid so it has to be mixed in food)
A puree of Pineapple and Papaya (I would puree both and mix them then freeze the puree and give my husband a portion)
Any of these should be discussed with his doctor or pharmacist if he is taking any prescription medication.
Discuss the constipation with his doctor there are very effective prescription products.
Parkinson and gut issues are common.
And I believe PD meds cause constipation as well.
He takes lax a day powder with warm glass of water first thing in the morning as per dr needs that for the rest of his life.
Her doctor had recommended MiraLax back in 2020, which was terrible. (I think that all docs recommend Mira Lax.). It's polyethylene glycol which is a polymer based petroleum-derivative which is an ingredient in anti-freeze. Look it up - it's all on the internet.
I dutifully gave it to her every morning and over time she began to sundown like nobody's business. I'm talking delusions and anxiety off the chain. The only thing I could figure was the MiraLax so I stopped giving it to her and turned to good old Milk of Magnesia.
And lo and behold, all of the sundowning and delusions ceased after about 3 months. It took that long to get out of her system. And yes MiraLax works, but the side effects in my mother were horrible.
That's my experience. I think it should be banned.
Here is the FDA's website stating that MiraLax can cause "neuropsychiatric events".
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fdas-adverse-event-reporting-system-faers/october-december-2011-potential-signals-serious-risksnew-safety-information-identified-adverse-event
If the problem is more that he has reasonably normal BMs but he doesn't go for 2, 3, 5 days (or longer) then know that gut dysfunction goes with Parkinson's and slow transit colon is common. In that case my advice is to follow all the normal recommendations about diet and try not to over obsess about frequency, no matter how many people try to tell you what is "normal".
Bowel dysfunction is something I am intimately familiar with as my mother struggled also, if you have specific questions just ask!
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